Abstract

A bacteriological procedure for the removal of the intestinal flora of Triatominae is described. Immersion of Triatoma protracta adults and fifth instar nymphs in 5% aqueous formaldehyde for three hours was sufficient to free the integument of these insects of viable bacteria without penetration into the alimentary tract.

Twenty-two adults and 17 fifth instar nymphs of Triatoma protracta protracta were collected from Neotoma lodges in southern California. Eleven of the 17 nymphs molted into adults in the laboratory. With the use of a 2% peracetic acid sterilized custom built plastic germ-free isolator the Triatoma were dissected and various sections of the digestive tract checked for bacteria by aerobic and anaerobic culture on blood agar plates. About half of the field collected adults and three-quarters of the laboratory molted adults harbored bacteria in their intestines.

Six specimens yielded pure cultures of Achromobacter eurydice, two yielded pure cultures of Streptococcus faecalis liquefaciens, six yielded pure cultures of Brevibacterium species, one specimen yielded cultures of the latter two bacteria, and nine yielded pure cultures of bacteria classified in the Corynebacteria-Nocardia-Mycobacteria group.

It was concluded that in its natural habitat, Triatoma p. protracta may not depend upon a characteristic bacterial flora to supplement its nutrition and that the bacteria found within the alimentary canal of this bug represent chance contamination of the tract.

LLU Discipline

Microbiology

Department

Microbiology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Raymond E. Ryckman

Second Advisor

Charles E. Winter

Third Advisor

Leonard R. Bullas

Fourth Advisor

Elwood S. McCluskey

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1969

Date (Title Page)

6-1969

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Triatominae.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

viii; 68

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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